Creative ideas to remove what is left of a pretty much disintegrated gimbal bearing

[gt2003]

Literally all that is left of the gimbal bearing is the outter ring but only about 1/4 of the width. So, pretty much a metal ring, maybe 1/4" thick, at the very back of the aluminum housing. My mechanic is pondering ways to remove it without damaging the housing. He says he's seen it only once in 30 years. Yeah, leave it to me, lol. Has anyone else ever run into this? If so, please share what worked for you to remove what is left of the bearing. Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

whatever is left of the bearing should come out with the tolerance ring. post some pics using photobucket.com

 

[gt2003]

Ok, pardon my ignorance, I just "googled" tolerance ring. Uhm, that's all that is left, about 1/4 width of the entire tolerance ring. The rest is GONE! I'll run by the shop and see if I can get a pic or two this evening. It almost looks like the gimble has been totally removed then replaced by a 1/4" wide metal band. UGH

 

[gt2003]

Here's the best couple of pics I could get. IF you've run into this and have any ideas on how to remove what's left, please share. His idea is to drill small holes around the outside, weaken the ring allowing him to remove it. But, he is open to any ideas. Thanks for looking

 

[NHGuy]

The tolerance ring isn't super sturdy metal. Can't you push something in behind it to start moving it away from it's seat? Won't a bearing and seal driver get behind it? If you could get a seal driver behind there with some threaded rod you could pull it out.

 

[Bt Doctur]

are these areas damaged?

 

[gt2003]

NHguy, He's tried a gear puller on it (I believe that's what he said) and he says it's in there very, very tight. Ill ask him about the seal driver

Bt Dr, that is one area he is concerned with right now. What I gathered from the conversation is that's where the bellows attach. He stressed to me that it's a part that if it gets broken off must be replaced as the bellows would have nothing to attach to. It is banged up a bit but not as bad as it looks in the picture. He said he is being very cautious to keep it in good working order. Is that part of the aluminum housing that surrounds the gimbal?

Wish I was more help. Just hoping to get suggestions based on the pics. It's my impression that if the aluminum housing is damaged and the gimbal bearing can't be seated properly that the motor will have to come out to have the housing replaced.

 

[Bt Doctur]

What you may have to do is remove the gimbal and bellows and drill the ring in 2 places and knock that section out first, then remove the remaining part of the ring. can send you a new ring so you can take measurements off of.

 

[m_steiger]

You may try using a sharpened cold chisel and try rolling the ring in on itself. But could do some damage if not done carefully.

 

[geneseo1911]

No Title

Well....it's not as bad as mine was.....

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...rives/565583-my-gimbal-housing-repair-attempt

I'm still running it BTW. No leaks.

It's a LOT easier to get in there and work on it if you take the bellhousing off. I can't understand why he hasn't done that. Then he could use any gear puller in the world.

 

[gt2003]

Thank you all! I'll talk to him in the morning. I believe drilling it out is the route he is taking. He's already got the new gimbal bearing at the shop that he's going to use for measurements. I appreciate your offer though. Thank you! I'm having him replace the impeller too as I don't know the history of the boat and it's never too early to replace the impeller.

 

[tpenfield]

I would go at it with a file or something similar and cut into the remaining ring stopping just short of meeting the transom housing. Then break the ring with a chisel. Sort of the same way as cracking a rusted nut.

 

[DaveG55]

I would go at it with a file or something similar and cut into the remaining ring stopping just short of meeting the transom housing. Then break the ring with a chisel. Sort of the same way as cracking a rusted nut.

TThat's what I would do as well. I might try a Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel if theres room. He's gonna have to be real straight and steady with a drill to not slip off and or damahe the housing.

 

[gt2003]

There sure isn't much to work with, is there? I'll share ideas with him this morning. He did mention previously about using a chisel to break the ring. I'm glad he's being as cautious as he is. I'd rather miss a weekend on the water than the rest of the boating season!

 

[Rick Stephens]

He could freeze it down and shrink it. The aluminum housing will shrink a lot less than the remainder of the ring. CO2 or Nitrogen is typical. Lots of places where that is used to insert or remove tight fit parts. I would probably choose drilling it as a last ditch method. The ring is harder by far than the housing.

Rick

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... The ring is aluminum, with a steel crush band around the outside,...
After the bell housin' is outa the way, drill 3 holes in the ring, 'n use a slide-hammer, 'n screw adapter to pull it,...
The ring will drill easily, 'n take a sheet metal screw nicely,...

 

[gt2003]

I called him this morning to pass on the tips. But, he got it done just piecing it out a little at a time. I'm having him replace the impeller since it's already there. I should be boating again soon. Unlike the previous owner, I will keep up on the maintenance to hopefully prevent this kind of craziness in my boating future. Thanks again for all the replies. I need it back so I can install the new bimini!

 

[gt2003]

Honest opinions, here we go, boat shop just called and gave me a total of $1270. That's includes breaking down the motor, piecing out the old, torn up bearing (see my pics above) and replacing the impeller. Does this sound reasonable? I know that there were a few other beaten up part he had to replaced too like the part that threads into the gear housing case. Could something like this take 12 shop hours? I feel it's reasonable for the tediousness of the work but you all do this on a consistent basis. What do you think?

 

[tpenfield]

Probably about right considering all the craziness that was going on with the outdrive.

 

[gt2003]

Preventive maintenance only hurts a little at a time. Big repairs hurt all at once. The boat is new to me and maybe preventive/regular maintenance wasn't done (gear oil was black as night). It will be from this point forward. I don't mind maintenance costs. Big repair bills hurt!

The other half is not happy but her pain will subside once she gets back on the water!